Russian River to be discussed at local CDFW meeting

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public meeting Thursday to discuss a proposed low-flow closure change to the Russian River and North Central Coast streams.

The Gualala Community Center on Center Street will host the meeting July 31, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Fish and Wildlife staff will spend time discussing the regulation change proposal, and then those in attendance who wish to comment will be allowed to do so. A final recommendation will be made to the Fish and Game Commission at a meeting in Van Nuys in December, according to a CDFW press release.

The proposal is to add a low-flow fish restriction to the Russian River because of the impact of drought conditions to local fisheries that have occurred in recent years, the press release stated.

The river is the habitat of coastal Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and Steelhead trout. All three fish species are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, while the Coho are also listed under the California ESA, the press release stated.

"We are trying to bring the Russian River in line with other coastal streams who have low-flow closures," said Ryan Watanabe, fisheries biologist with Fish and Wildlife.

After the past two winters, the department has found the salmon entering these streams were forced to congregate in larger bodies of water within the rivers. The concern is that fishermen could easily harvest the congregating fish out of the deeper areas of the waterways, according to the press release and proposed emergency regulatory action by the Fish and Game Commission.

Also, there is an expected decrease in fish eggs and younger fish within these systems as drought conditions continue to have an impact, according to proposed emergency regulatory action by the Fish and Game Commission.

Russian River and North Central coastal streams have remained open to fishing after an emergency closure, that was enacted by the Fish and Game Commission in February, expired at the end of April, according to the press release.

"We are early in the regulation process," Watanabe said. "This will probably be like a year process, so the sooner we start, the sooner we can get regulations in place."

Written comments may be sent by email to ryan.watanabe@wildlife.ca.gov, or by mail to CDFW, Bay Delta Region, Attn. Ryan Watanabe, 5355 B Skylane Dr. Santa Rosa, CA. 95403.